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墨書 Inktalez
"Trouble!" Shen Ru's eyes were fixed on the battlefield, and he had already begun discussing the next plan with Gu Bei. "General, the Left Wing can no longer hold on. Please indicate who should go out to face the enemy next!"
As Shen Ru spoke, the situation on the field had undergone a dramatic change.
The Left Wing's spear missed Zhao Ren and was instead caught by Zhao Ren with one hand, rendering its wielder immobile.
Immediately, Zhao Ren launched his attack.
He was incredibly strong; with his other hand, he seized the shaft of the spear and, with a forceful pull, broke the Left Wing's long spear in half with just his bare hands.
"Such petty skills, daring to boast before your grandfather!" Zhao Ren gripped the broken spear shaft and yanked it, causing the Left Wing to feel completely out of control as he was propelled straight toward Zhao Ren.
Zhao Ren caught the Left Wing by the chest and delivered a powerful punch to his abdomen. In an instant, darkness enveloped the Left Wing's vision. For several seconds, he lost all sense of feeling; even the intense pain surged only after that wave of darkness passed.
"Ugh! Cough cough!" A sweet metallic taste filled the Left Wing's mouth and nose. Before he realized it himself, those around him had already noticed blood flowing from his mouth and nose.
Zhao Ren released his grip, and the Left Wing fell like a kite suddenly cut from its string, crashing straight to the ground. The only difference was that he was an adult man with a robust physique, which caused a dull thud upon impact.
"Well done, Second-in-Command!"
The morale of the bandits surged instantly as they looked at the Army with disdain. Indeed, their previous ambush failure was merely their own mistake; otherwise, how could these Dog Thieves possibly defeat their invincible Bandit Hideout?
On the Army's side, Gu Bei's expression was grim. He had gained some understanding of Zhao Ren's combat abilities from previous skirmishes, but now it seemed he still did not grasp just how formidable Zhao Ren truly was.
He never expected Zhao Ren to be this strong.
"This battle is lost for us," Gu Bei called out to his men at Court, directly admitting defeat. The situation for the Left Wing was dire; he likely had internal injuries and could no longer continue fighting. Immediate medical attention was necessary.
However, just as Gu Bei prepared to send someone to retrieve the Left Wing, Zhao Ren made his move again.
He seized the still-coughing-up-blood Left Wing and lifted him high above his head. Before anyone could react, he swiftly slammed him down onto the ground!
"Ugh!" Left Wing curled up on the ground, intense pain spreading through his body as if someone had ignited a firework inside him, exploding everywhere.
Zhao Ren stood there laughing heartily. "So this is what the so-called Invincible General is like! With such incompetent subordinates, how good can the general be? General Gu, are your injuries from our Bandit Hideout any better? Do you want me to send you some Healing Ointment?"
"Hahaha!" The bandits echoed his laughter, mocking the Army across from them.
Gu Bei raised his hand to suppress the restless Army; now was not the time to act. Zhao Ren's actions were not merely provocation; in fact, he was stalling for time, allowing the main force of the bandits enough time to ambush the Army.
Gu Bei had the same intention. What he needed to do now was hold back this group of bandits so that the other two teams could carry out their ambush undisturbed.
Moreover, Left Wing's condition was dire and needed to be brought back immediately. The Military Doctor was already prepared behind them, anxiously waiting.
"Zhao Second-in-Command truly has great skills; Left Wing is no match for you. We have lost this battle, so I ask Zhao Second-in-Command to return him to us!"
Gu Bei personally rode forward a step and shouted at Zhao Ren.
However, Zhao Ren paid no heed and mocked loudly, "You think there are rules in battle? We're just bandits; we don't have time for your nonsense! Since this man has fallen to my hands, he deserves to die here! Once he's dead, I can return him to you—so you can dig a hole and bury him!"
No matter how Gu Bei tried to restrain himself, he couldn't suppress the thin anger in his voice. "We have already admitted defeat; Zhao Second-in-Command's aggressiveness is rather rude!"
"Rude?" Zhao Ren laughed maniacally, stepping on Left Wing as he proclaimed loudly, "To the victor goes the spoils! Don't think just because someone praises you that you're above everyone else! What a pathetic general; I say even our Village dogs are better! At least dogs bark, while you hide behind your subordinates. Have the guts to come out and fight me!"
This arrogant declaration infuriated the entire Army. The soldiers could hardly contain themselves and clamored to go take down Zhao Ren and teach him a lesson.
Meanwhile, lying on the ground, Left Wing felt both anger and frustration. He was angry at Zhao Ren's disrespect towards Gu Bei and frustrated by his own lack of strength that brought shame upon Gu Bei.
With determination in his eyes, he forced himself up despite his shattered insides, unsteadily picking up his broken spear and pointing it at Zhao Ren.
"Foolish!" Shen Ru cursed inwardly, feeling anxious. It was clear to anyone that this unequal situation meant Left Wing had no chance of turning things around.
And Zhao Ren was not a merciful person; he would not show any leniency just because Left Wing was gravely injured.
"General!" Shen Ru looked at Gu Bei, waiting for him to make a decision.
Gu Bei felt a sense of urgency. Zhao Ren was incredibly strong, and with Left Wing in such a state, one more punch could spell disaster.
"Left Wing, don't be reckless! Come back!" Gu Bei shouted loudly. No matter what, even if it meant losing face, he did not want his soldiers to die in front of him like this.
Losing a fight meant they could still win another day. If they died, there would be no chance left at all.
Gu Bei directly instructed his subordinates to move forward, determined to bring Left Wing back even if it meant using force.
However, before the soldiers could reach him, Zhao Ren was provoked by Left Wing's gaze and launched another attack without restraint.
Left Wing barely had the strength to stand and was completely unable to fight back. Yet he gritted his teeth and held on, refusing to let himself pass out.
Even if he had to die, he would do so with dignity! He couldn't let the general be mocked by these damned bandits!
At that moment, this thought was the only thing clear in his mind.
With one final strike, Zhao Ren raised his fist, gathering power as it was about to fall. Suddenly, Gu Bei's furious voice rang out.
"Stop!"
Zhao Ren halted mid-motion and provocatively looked at Gu Bei. "What's this? General Gu planning to step in personally?"
He knew very well how severe Gu Bei's injuries were; many of them were his doing. Honestly, just the fact that Gu Bei was still alive and able to escape was enough to astonish Zhao Ren.
Considering Gu Bei's injuries, Zhao Ren had repeatedly provoked him in hopes of inciting a reaction. Gu Bei was the highest-ranking officer of the Army; if he died, it would be a celebration for the bandits—far more significant than capturing half a camp.
Previously, when Gu Bei sent his subordinates into battle, Zhao Ren felt unwilling. He wanted to take advantage of Gu Bei's weakened state to defeat him. Having seen Gu Bei's skills during their earlier encounter, he knew that once Gu Bei recovered, such an opportunity would never come again.
Thus, he deliberately targeted Left Wing with brutal attacks, hoping to provoke Gu Bei and see if he could endure watching his subordinate being ruthlessly beaten to death.
Although, even without this layer of relationship, killing was still his hobby.
Clearly, Zhao Ren's provocation was quite effective. Gu Bei could not stand by and watch his subordinates die before him; he resolved to step forward and take on the challenge, replacing Left Wing.
"Zhao Second-in-Command is quite skilled; allow me to learn a thing or two from you!"
With that, Gu Bei spurred his horse and charged forward.
As he galloped, he bent down, lifted Left Wing onto his horse, and then smoothly dismounted. Steadying himself, he raised his hand and struck the horse's flank with a whip. The warhorse neighed loudly as it carried Left Wing back to the Army's camp.
The Military Doctor hurriedly approached to help Lower Wing off the horse and began emergency treatment.
Left Wing's gaze remained fixed on Gu Bei; in the last moment before losing consciousness, what he saw was Gu Bei's straightened back.
Gu Bei stood tall before the Army like a guardian made of flesh and blood, blocking the way against the enemy.
Just like every battle over the years.
"Gu Bei, engage!"
As if inspired by his momentum, the originally gentle Gentle Breeze suddenly turned fierce, stirring up a gust. The battle flag behind him fluttered in the wind.
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